Have only been kiting for a few months and to keep costs down a bit I initially purchased just one kite to use with a TT in typically around 18-25 knots. I went with a Wainman Smoke due to the durability, fairly broad wind range and possible use on the flat and in the surf (when I get more experience).
Am really loving the sport and the kite (currently using it in 18knots to 30knots) but am finding that there are often days around 12-17 knots where I can't get out so am thinking of biting the bullet and buying a bigger kite so I can cover a wind range of around 12-28 knots with the two kites.
Have read a variety of threads about the importance of boards not just kites in lighter winds but I'd prefer to go with another kite and was thinking of an around 12M or 13M depending on brand. I weigh 80kg and ride a 137/41 TT and ultimately aim to spend probably 70% time on the flat and the rest in the surf.
I suppose my intial thoughts are to go with a Wainman Boss (happy with the smoke, grunty, familiarity, surf pedigree etc) but I'd like to explore other options to make sure I'm not limiting myself. Have read various posts on Switchblades, Lithiums etc but the 13M Ozone Edge seems to have really good reviews on SB and elsewhere (nice boosting, stable but still good turning) and it seems like they will both cover a similar wind range.
So question is which one?? Other kites that will be better than those two?
CHEERS!!
Ride with a wainmen guy, bloody good kiter, we push each other every session, have a ball.
He only has the smoke and boss, weighs more than you, uses a smaller TT and is out in those winds...probably 14 up really.
The boss has an insane bottom end like the smoke. Also has that quick turning ability. Lee chucks down all his back roll, back loops and other sh1t on it.
13m edge is really moving into what edges are designed for, speed and racing. Most of the freeride is bred out of them by then. My first two demos were on the 13m edge and loved it, but didn't and wouldn't buy one.
Yeh man if it was me stick to the Wainmans for now and maybe forever who knows, such a versatile kite with such a huge wind range all of them. Really stable, quick turning, can be tuned for different conditions which will increase your progression.
It really is a can do all round kite, which is a much better than average surf kite as well.
And....yeh look into coupling it with another board. Another more efficient board.
Two wainmen kites will have you out in 90 percent of useable fun winds in wa.
That would be my call.
Cheers Eppo.
Yeah have been really impressed by the versatility of the smoke. The ease of altering the settings for wind range/handling is bloody great so I suppose if the boss will be the same then you're right on being able to cover a truckload of perth conditions with those two.
Had a quick chat to someone the other day about the boss and they mentioned it stalled a fair bit.....couldn't go into detail so not sure if it was just when they tried to use it in conditions too light or oversheeting etc. I suppose any kite will do that in these circustances...certainly couldn't find much info online to support that / make me concerned.
i have wainmans and edges. 6.5/ 9m wainman and a 9m/11m/15m edge. once you go bigger than the 11m edge you have a kite that is great for speed and floaty jumps but doesnt go as high as the smaller sizes. also, bigger edge kites wont hold power through turns in lighter breezes so well.
however, the low end of the 11m edge is great. at 15kts i am well powered and boosting pretty well for my 70kg. at 20-25kts the 11m edge is unreal with boosting.
i really enjoy having 2 diametrically opposed kites. they both excel in areas that the other wont if that makes sense.
i would recommend the 11m edge over the 13m if you want an edge. it is completely different than the smoke so if you want a change of pace then you can't go wrong.
but for progressing your skills i would just get the boss.
Yep Coleman makes a lot of sense there. Yep the 11m has a huge wind range for sure, awesome size. Also he's right on the opposite style of kite thing. I have got on the wainmans a fair bit and they are such a great kite, that pack a lot of punch and for me free riding in the surf, the wainmans excel.
Hey nice post on K2H'S babble....
Thanks for the feedback Eppo and coleman. Sounds like there isn't too much to be gained from deviating from Wainman in that sizing so may pick up a Boss. Cheers.
Yeh the 13m is still an awesome kite but the boss will allow you to maintain the same style you employ with the smoke.
yeh interesting combo coleman...
eppo,
yeah, switch back and forth between the two and sometimes i will ride them on the same day just for some variety.
i do find the 9m edge to be the most exciting kite i have for freeride.
and yeah, what the **** is the deal with kite2heaven? that guy is a complete ass.
some people?
Agreed the 9m is indeed the sweetest. My bro and I are always licking our lips when the sand starts to really sting ya legs. Yeeeeehaaaa.
Still maintain the 10 would have the good qualities of both the 11 and 9!!
these kites are apples and oranges
Boss Low aspect delta bucket type kite
sits back in the window giving nice consistant pull
loved my series 1 boss such a well behaved kite(Its like it knows where u want to go)
all the back stalling issue is is the light wind knot is too sheeted in
iv always just used the middle or the end knot. (my gen2 smoke do it more than the original)
the high aspect edge
this kite will hunt for the edge(no pun) of the window giving good upwind drive
they require some good flying skills to make the most of them they will get going in light winds with the right technique.
i hated my nitro(very simiar to they edge) when i first got it, as my flying skills where not that good and found i needed alot more wind to fly.but this kite took my flighing skils to a new level and could get going comftably in about 12 knots on a skim
id probably look at the boss get your kite skill up and see what direction you want to take from there wainmans are a very well made kite and will last a few seasons.
P.S the wainman bags **** over any other bag including the new ozone bag
just a pet hate of trying to be carful with the kite then having manhandle it into a bag.
Go the wainman. The way i see it, if you ca stay on the same gear then the quivr matches better.
I hear they are bringing out a limited edition for 2013.......
Completely bias!!! But go the Boss for sure. If you are considering Ozone then the C4 is a better kite.
Wainman's are the bomb, and I'd get black over white.
C4 is the better kite? Better kite for what? it's not a 'better kite' its a better kite for unhooked freestyle. The earlier models were great for free riding. Not anymore. There are better kites for this style now the wainmans one of them for sure.
